Child-resistant container with non-cylindrical shape

ABSTRACT

Child-resistant containers are described herein having a body portion and a lid portion that can be coupled to one another. A set of fasteners can be disposed on the body or lid portion to secure the lid portion to the body portion. The fasteners can be flexed or bent which permits the lid portion to be released from the body portion.

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application havingSer. No. 62/638,606, filed on Mar. 5, 2018. This and all otherreferenced extrinsic materials are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in a reference thatis incorporated by reference is inconsistent or contrary to thedefinition of that term provided herein, the definition of that termprovided herein is deemed to be controlling.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is child-resistant containers.

BACKGROUND

The following description includes information that may be useful inunderstanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any ofthe information provided herein is prior art or relevant to thepresently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically orimplicitly referenced is prior art.

Various types of containers exist in the prior art. While certain of thecontainers have been designed to be child-resistant, such containerstypically comprise a pill bottle for storing medications. Thesecontainers can be problematic for storing non-pill products, and thechild proof functionality often do not lend themselves to other shapesof containers.

All publications identified herein are incorporated by reference to thesame extent as if each individual publication or patent application werespecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference isinconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein,the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definitionof that term in the reference does not apply.

Thus, there is still a need for child-resistant containers having anon-cylindrical shape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods inwhich a container comprises a body portion and a lid portion thatcollectively form a child-resistant container when coupled to oneanother.

Contemplated body portions comprise a closed bottom surface having atleast one sidewall extending from the bottom surface, which collectivelydefine an interior space of the body portion. The lid portion preferablycomprises an upper closed surface having at least one sidewall extendingfrom the surface, and that collectively defines an interior space of thelid portion.

Preferably, to close the container, the at least one wall of the lidportion is disposed about the at least one wall of the body portion suchthat the lid portion covers the open area of the body portion.

One or both of the lid and body portions can comprise at least onefastener configured to secure the body portion to the lid portion andthereby keep the container closed. To open the container and therebyremove the lid portion from the body portion, it is contemplated thatthe one or more fasteners can be depressed inwardly (i.e., toward aninterior of the container), which releases a hook or tab on the fastenerand permits the fastener to be removed from the lid or body portion.

The arrangement of the fasteners on the sides of the body portion thatare separated by the greater distance from each other creates a distancebetween the fasteners that makes it more difficult for a child todepress each fastener while keeping the distance sufficiently close thatan adult can use a thumb and finger on a user's hand to depress bothfasteners at the same time. Because of the distance between thefasteners, a child would not be able to depress both fasteners using asingle hand.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventivesubject matter will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanyingdrawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a containerin an open configuration.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front, side view of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged view of the fastener shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a left, side view of the container of FIG. 1, wherethe right side view is a mirror version of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top, back, perspective view of the container ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 in aclosed configuration.

FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate perspective views of another embodiment of acontainer shown in open and closed configurations, respectively.

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate perspective views of another embodiment of acontainer shown in open and closed configurations, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion provides many example embodiments of theinventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a singlecombination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter isconsidered to include all possible combinations of the disclosedelements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and asecond embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subjectmatter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A,B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate a first embodiment of a child-resistant container100 having a generally rectangular shape. Although shown with roundedcorners, it is contemplated that the container could alternatively havenon-rounded corners. Container 100 is preferably composed of plastic orother polycarbonates but could be formed from othercommercially-suitable material(s) or combinations thereof. It isespecially preferred that the container is formed of a single piece, andone that is injection-molded to reduce cost of manufacture.

Container 100 comprises a body portion 102 and a lid portion 110, whichare attached to one another via a living hinge 120. As shown in theFigures, the body portion 102, lid portion 110 and living hinge 120 canbe integral with one another and form a single, injection-molded piece,for example. The living hinge 120 advantageously permits the lid portion110 to be rotated from an open configuration shown in FIG. 1 to a closedconfiguration where the lid portion 110 is secured on top of the bodyportion 102 as shown in FIG. 8.

The body portion 102 preferably comprises a closed, bottom surface 104and at least one sidewall 106 extending upwardly from the bottom surface104. Collectively the bottom surface 104 and at least one sidewall 106can at least partially define a hollow interior 108 of the body portion102.

The body portion 102 further comprises first and second fasteners 122,124, which collectively can define a first set of fasteners. The firstand second fasteners 122, 124 are configured to secure the lid portion110 to the body portion 102 when the container 100 is in a closedposition. Each of the first and second fasteners 122, 124 is preferablyconfigured to move or flex inwardly toward an interior of the container100 when a force is applied to the first and second fasteners 122, 124.To permit the flexing of the first and second fasteners 122, 124, thebody portion 102 preferably comprises a gap or space 150 between thesidewall 106 and each fastener 122, 124. In such manner, the lid portion110 can be released from the body portion 102 when a force is applied tothe first and second fasteners 122, 124 such that they each move or flexinwardly. Each of the first and second fasteners 122, 124 is configuredto return to an initial position shown in the Figures when the force isno longer applied.

In preferred embodiments, each of the first and second fasteners 122,124 comprises a tab extending from the bottom surface 104, and an upperportion of each fastener 122, 124 hooks through the top surface 112 ofthe lid portion 110.

The at least one sidewall 106 is preferably disposed on the bottomsurface 104 such that a lip 109 extends about at least some of the atleast one sidewall 106. It is contemplated that when the lid portion 110is disposed on top of the body portion 102, the at least one sidewall114 of the lid portion 110 can be disposed on top of the lip 109.

The lid portion 110 preferably comprises a top surface 112 and at leastone sidewall 114 extending downwardly from the top surface 112.Collectively the top surface 112 and at least one sidewall 114 can atleast partially define a hollow interior 116 of the lid portion 110. Insome embodiments, the at least one sidewall 114 extends about three ofthe sides of the lid portion 110, but does not fully extend at thefourth side closest to the living hinge 120.

The at least one sidewall 114 of the lid portion 110 can furthercomprise first and second cutouts 130, 132 disposed on opposing portionsof the at least one sidewall 114. Preferably, each of the cutouts 130,132 are disposed on the at least one sidewall 114 such that each cutout130, 132 permits access to one of the first and second fasteners 122,124when the lid portion 110 is secured with the body portion 102 in theclosed configuration, such as shown in FIG. 8.

When the container 100 is in the closed configuration, the at least onesidewall 114 of the lid portion 110 is disposed outside of the hollowinterior 108 and about the at least one sidewall 106 of the body portion102.

The lid portion 110 comprises first and second apertures 134, 136, whichare sized and dimensioned to receive a portion of the first and secondfasteners 122, 124. Specifically, an upper portion of each of thefasteners 122, 124 is configured to be inserted into one of theapertures 134, 136, and hook on to the top surface 112 of the lidportion 110. In this manner, the body portion 102 cannot be removed fromthe lid portion 110 due to the upper portion of the fasteners 122, 124being hooked to the top surface 112. To remove the lid portion 110 fromthe body portion 102, each of the fasteners 122, 124 is pressed orflexed inwardly (toward the hollow interior 108) which unhooks eachfastener 122, 124 from the top surface 112, and allows the fasteners122, 124 to pass through the respective aperture in the top surface 112.

Each of the first and second fasteners 122, 124 preferably comprises anelongated portion 160 that extends from the bottom surface 104 of thebody portion 102. A top portion 162 can be integral with the elongatedportion 160 such that they form a single piece. Preferably, each of thefasteners 122, 124 are integral with the body portion 102, and formedvia injection molding with the body portion 102.

Each fastener 122, 124 preferably comprises a recessed area 164 that atleast partially defines a hook 163 of the top portion 162. The recessedarea 164 is preferably sized and dimensioned to receive a portion of theat least one sidewall 114 of the lid portion 110. Preferably, one of therecessed areas 164 is configured to receive the portion of the at leastone sidewall 114 that is between the first cutout 130 and the firstaperture 134, and the other recessed area 164 is configured to receivethe portion of the at least one sidewall 114 that is between the secondcutout 132 and the second aperture 136. When the portion of the sidewall114 is disposed within the recessed area 164, the hook 163 will beinserted through one of the apertures 134, 136, and the lid portion 110is held in place due to each fastener 122, 124 holding a portion of thesidewall 114 in the recessed area 164.

Although the embodiment of the container 100 described abovecontemplates the fasteners being disposed on the body portion 102, it isalternatively contemplated that the fasteners could be disposed on thelid portion 110 instead. In such embodiments, the apertures could bedisposed on the body portion.

In some contemplated embodiments, the body portion 102 can comprise aset of ribs 140 disposed on the sidewall 106, which can facilitate afriction fit between the body portion 102 and lid portion 110 when thecontainer 100 is in a closed configuration.

It is further contemplated that the body portion 102 can comprise alayer of silicone to make the container airtight when sealed.

It is also contemplated that the body portion 102 can comprise one ormore cutouts 170, with a cutout disposed adjacent to a fastener 122,124. This can facilitate a user to depress the fasteners 122, 124.

FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate another embodiment of a child-resistant container200 having a body portion 202 and a lid portion 210. Similar to theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1-8, the lid portion 210 can be secured to thebody portion 202 by one or more fasteners 220, 222. However, as can beseen in FIGS. 9A-9B, fastener 220 can be affixed to the body portion202, while fastener 222 can be affixed to the lid portion 210. Althoughnot shown, it is contemplated that the container 200 can have two setsof fasteners: (i) a first set comprising fastener 220 and one otherfastener, both of which are affixed to the body portion 202, and (ii) asecond set comprising fastener 222 and one other fastener, both of whichare affixed to the lid portion 210.

Lid portion 210 can include one or more apertures 230 through which oneof the fasteners of the body portion can be inserted, such as describedabove with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-8. Similar to thatabove, a portion of the fastener 220 can be inserted through theaperture 230 and then hooked to the lid portion 210 to thereby securethe lid portion 210 to the body portion 202.

In a similar fashion, it is contemplated that the body portion 202 canalso comprise one or more apertures 232, such that a portion of fastener222 can be inserted through the aperture 232 and then hooked to the bodyportion 202 to thereby secure the lid portion 210 to the body portion202.

The lid portion 210 may also include one or more cutouts to permitaccess to the fastener 220 when the lid portion 210 is secured to thebody portion 202.

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate another embodiment of a child-resistantcontainer 300 having a body portion 302 and a lid portion 310. Similarto the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-8, the lid portion 310 can be securedto the body portion 302 by one or more fasteners 320, 322. However, ascan be seen in FIGS. 10A-10B, fastener 322 can be affixed to the bodyportion 302, while fastener 320 can be affixed to the lid portion 310.Although not shown, it is contemplated that the container 300 can havetwo sets of fasteners: (i) a first set comprising fastener 322 and oneother fastener, both of which are affixed to the body portion 302, and(ii) a second set comprising fastener 320 and one other fastener, bothof which are affixed to the lid portion 310.

The lid portion 310 may also include one or more cutouts to permitaccess to the fastener 322 when the lid portion 310 is secured to thebody portion 302.

As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term“coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which twoelements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirectcoupling (in which at least one additional element is located betweenthe two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with”are used synonymously.

Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth hereinshould be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints andopen-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commerciallypractical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered asinclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates thecontrary.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the descriptionherein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise.

The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve asa shorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, eachindividual value with a range is incorporated into the specification asif it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein canbe performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respectto certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminatethe invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of theinvention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should beconstrued as indicating any non-claimed element essential to thepractice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each groupmember can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combinationwith other members of the group or other elements found herein. One ormore members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group forreasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion ordeletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the groupas modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markushgroups used in the appended claims.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many moremodifications besides those already described are possible withoutdeparting from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subjectmatter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of theappended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification andthe claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possiblemanner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises”and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements,components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that thereferenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized,or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are notexpressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at leastone of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . andN, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from thegroup, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

What is claimed is:
 1. A child-resistant container, comprising: a bodyportion having a hollow interior and a non-cylindrical shape, whereinthe body portion comprises a closed, bottom surface and at least onesidewall extending upwardly from the closed, bottom surface to at leastpartially define the hollow interior; a lid portion having a secondhollow interior and a non-cylindrical shape, wherein the lid portioncomprises a top surface and at least one sidewall extending downwardlyfrom the closed, top surface to at least partially define the secondhollow interior; a first set of fasteners disposed on either the lid orbody portion, and configured to removably secure the body portion to thelid portion in a closed configuration where the lid portion is disposedon top of the body portion such that the at least one sidewall of thelid portion surrounds the at least one sidewall of the body portion;wherein each of the first set of fasteners is configured to move or flexinwardly toward an interior of the container when a force is applied,and wherein the lid portion can be released from the body portion wheneach of the first set of fasteners moves or flexes inwardly; and whereineach of the first set of fasteners is configured to return to an initialposition when the force is no longer applied.
 2. The child-resistantcontainer of claim 1, wherein the body portion and lid portion areconnected to one another via a living hinge.
 3. The child-resistantcontainer of claim 2, wherein the body portion, lid portion, and livinghinge are composed of a single injection-molded piece.
 4. Thechild-resistant container of claim 1, wherein the body portion furthercomprises a set of ribs disposed on an outside surface of the at leastone sidewall.
 5. The child-resistant container of claim 1, wherein thebody portion further comprises a layer of silicone that facilitatessealing of the container when the body portion is secured to the lidportion.
 6. The child-resistant container of claim 1, wherein the lidportion further comprises a layer of silicone that facilitates sealingof the container when the body portion is secured to the lid portion. 7.The child-resistant container of claim 1, wherein the first set offasteners are disposed on the body portion outside of the hollowinterior, and wherein the lid portion comprises a first set of apertureseach of which is sized and dimensioned to receive a portion of afastener of the first set of fasteners.
 8. The child-resistant containerof claim 7, further comprising a gap or space between each of the firstset of fasteners and the at least one sidewall of the body portion. 9.The child-resistant container of claim 7, wherein the at least onesidewall of the lid portion comprises first and second cutouts disposedon opposite sides of the at least one sidewall, and wherein each of thecutouts permits access to a fastener of the first set when the lidportion is secured to the body portion.
 10. The child-resistantcontainer of claim 9, wherein the first set of fasteners comprises:first and second fasteners that each extends upwardly from the bottomsurface of the body portion; wherein the first fastener comprises: anelongated portion extending from the bottom surface of the body portion;a top portion that is integral with the elongated portion and comprisesa recessed area; and wherein a first portion of the at least onesidewall of the lid portion that is between the first cutout and a firstaperture of the first set of apertures that is near the first cutout isconfigured to be disposed within the recessed area when the lid portionis secured to the body portion; and wherein the second fastenercomprises: a second elongated portion extending from the bottom surfaceof the body portion; a second top portion that is integral with thesecond elongated portion and comprises a second recessed area; andwherein a second portion of the at least one sidewall of the lid portionthat is between the second cutout and a second aperture of the first setof apertures that is near the second cutout is configured to be disposedwithin the second recessed area when the lid portion is secured to thebody portion.
 11. The child-resistant container of claim 10, furthercomprising a first gap or space between the first fastener and the atleast one sidewall of the body portion, and a second gap or spacebetween the second fastener and the at least one sidewall of the bodyportion.
 12. The child-resistant container of claim 10, wherein thebottom surface of the body portion further comprises first and secondcutouts disposed adjacent the first and second fasteners, respectively.13. The child-resistant container of claim 1, wherein the first set offasteners are disposed on the lid portion outside of the second hollowinterior, and wherein the body portion comprises a first set ofapertures each of which is sized and dimensioned to receive a portion ofa fastener of the first set of fasteners.
 14. The child-resistantcontainer of claim 13, further comprising a gap or space between each ofthe first set of fasteners and the at least one sidewall of the lidportion.
 15. The child-resistant container of claim 13, wherein the atleast one sidewall of the body portion comprises first and secondcutouts disposed on opposite sides of the at least one sidewall, andwherein each of the cutouts permits access to a fastener of the firstset when the lid portion is secured to the body portion.
 16. Thechild-resistant container of claim 15, wherein the first set offasteners comprises: first and second fasteners that each extendsdownwardly from the top surface of the lid portion; wherein the firstfastener comprises: an elongated portion extending from the top surfaceof the lid portion; a top portion that is integral with the elongatedportion and comprises a recessed area; and wherein a first portion ofthe at least one sidewall of the body portion that is between the firstcutout and a first aperture of the first set of apertures that is nearthe first cutout is configured to be disposed within the recessed areawhen the lid portion is secured to the body portion; and wherein thesecond fastener comprises: a second elongated portion extending from thetop surface of the lid portion; a second top portion that is integralwith the second elongated portion and comprises a second recessed area;and wherein a second portion of the at least one sidewall of the bodyportion that is between the second cutout and a second aperture of thefirst set of apertures that is near the second cutout is configured tobe disposed within the second recessed area when the lid portion issecured to the body portion.
 17. The child-resistant container of claim16, further comprising a first gap or space between the first fastenerand the at least one sidewall of the lid portion, and a second gap orspace between the second fastener and the at least one sidewall of thelid portion.
 18. The child-resistant container of claim 16, wherein thetop surface of the lid portion further comprises first and secondcutouts disposed adjacent the first and second fasteners, respectively.19. A child-resistant container, consisting essentially of: a bodyportion having a rectangular shape, wherein the body portion comprises aclosed, bottom surface and at least one sidewall extending upwardly fromthe closed, bottom surface to at least partially define a hollowinterior; a lid portion having a rectangular shape, wherein the lidportion comprises a top surface and at least one sidewall extendingdownwardly from the closed, top surface to at least partially define asecond hollow interior; a living hinge that connects the body portionwith the lid portion, wherein the body portion, lid portion, and livinghinge are composed of a single injection-molded piece; first and secondfasteners disposed on the body portion outside of the hollow interior,such that a gap or space is created between each of the first and secondfasteners and the at least one sidewall of the body portion, and whereinthe first and second fasteners are configured to secure the body portionto the lid portion in a closed configuration where the lid portion isdisposed on top of the body portion such that the at least one sidewallof the lid portion surrounds the at least one sidewall of the bodyportion; wherein the lid portion comprises a first set of apertures eachof which is sized and dimensioned to receive a portion of the first orsecond fastener, and wherein the at least one sidewall of the lidportion comprises first and second cutouts disposed on opposite sides ofthe at least one sidewall, and wherein each of the cutouts permitsaccess to the first and second fasteners, respectively, when the lidportion is secured to the body portion; wherein the first fastenercomprises: an elongated portion extending from the bottom surface of thebody portion; a top portion that is integral with the elongated portionand comprises a recessed area; and wherein a first portion of the atleast one sidewall of the lid portion that is between the first cutoutand a first aperture of the first set of apertures that is near thefirst cutout is configured to be disposed within the recessed area whenthe lid portion is secured to the body portion; and wherein the secondfastener comprises: a second elongated portion extending from the bottomsurface of the body portion; a second top portion that is integral withthe second elongated portion and comprises a second recessed area; andwherein a second portion of the at least one sidewall of the lid portionthat is between the second cutout and a second aperture of the first setof apertures that is near the second cutout is configured to be disposedwithin the second recessed area when the lid portion is secured to thebody portion; wherein each of the first and second fasteners isconfigured to move or flex inwardly toward an interior of the bodyportion when a force is applied, and wherein the lid portion can bereleased from the body portion when each of the first and secondfasteners moves or flexes inwardly toward the hollow interior; andwherein each of the first and second fasteners is configured to returnto an initial position when the force is no longer applied.
 20. Thechild-resistant container of claim 19, wherein the body or lid portionfurther comprises a layer of silicone that facilitates sealing of thecontainer when the body portion is secured to the lid portion.